construction os&h working at height

ILO Construction OS&H

Construction OS&H

Working at height


Summary

Common hazards with working at heightGeneral OS&H requirements when working at height

ScaffoldingStructural framesDemolition of above ground structuresRoof-work


How this module will be taught

Working at height can be very dangerous and there is a lot of detailed knowledge to be learned to preserve OS&H for all those involved. So, this module will be taught in the following stages:

1 A presentation by the tutor which summarises the main parts of the subject

2 Simulated ‘tool-box briefings in which your tutor and some colleagues will take you through the topics in more detail


What are the common hazardswhen working at height?

Although obviously hazardous, working at height should create no hazards for anyone on a construction project.

Spend 10 minutes thinking about why hazards arise, and list ten possible causes.


Common hazards when working at height

• Poor conceptual design of the permanent works• Poor structural design• Poor functional design• Inadequate planning and provision for weather• Structural elements incorrectly erected or installed• Poor (or perhaps no) workplace design• Signalling systems (manual, mechanical, electronic) malfunction• Misuse (elements and equipment not used as designed or planned)• Unprotected edges and openings• Loads insecurely attached• Release of pressure (concrete pumps)


Many of the hazards which arise have these causes

• Poor mechanical design (breaks in use, not powerful enough, components fracture or malfunction)

• Poor functional design (not properly designed for the stated purpose)• Poor workplace design• Signalling systems (manual, mechanical, electronic) malfunction• Misuse (not used as designed)• Loads insecurely attached• Release of pressure (concrete pumps)• Poor maintenance (breaks or emits noxious gases)


These cause the following hazards

• Workers put in dangerous positions• Workers handling very heavy or awkward loads causing falls or injury• Falls due to collapses of partly built permanent works• Workers crushed by falling or otherwise moving elements or equipment• Falling machinery or parts of machinery• Falling loads• Crushing due to impact of moving or toppling plant and equipment• Impact from release of pressure• Falling from plant and equipment• Falls caused by swinging loads, plant and equipment• Limbs or bodies caught in parts of the permanent works or machinery• Physiological damage through exposure to weather• Poor ergonomics• Physiological and psychological damage through stress of dangerous work• Stress caused by poor environment


Other hazards

These are, of course, just some of the main hazards, there are many more which are specific to particular projects.

Each project must be assessed specifically and all hazards takeninto account.

Discussion!



General principles of safety when working at height

Fall of materialsPreventive measures should be taken against the fall of workers and tools or other objects or materials.

OpeningsAll openings through which workers are liable to fall should be kept effectively covered or fenced and indicated in the most appropriate manner.


Ladders

If a ladder is properly used it:• Enables only one person to climb or descend at any one time• Enables only one person to work from it at any one time• If not lashed at the top, requires two workers for use – one on the

ladder and the other at the bottom• Leaves both hands free• Restricts movement• Has to be safely situated and secured• Has a limitation on heights at which it can be used


Ladders must be fixed securely top & bottom


Points to remember when using ladders

Make sure that the ladder is long enough for the job.Avoid carrying tools or materials in your hand while you are climbing ladders.Don’t over-reach.Clean your footwear before climbingAlways inspect your ladder before you use it.Remove damaged ladders from use and make sure that they are properly repaired. If they cannot be properly repaired, they must be destroyed.


Scaffolding

Identify 10 points of good practice in the scaffold in the pictures, and one point of bad practice


Ten points of good practice & one of bad practice1. Strongly braced diagonally in two directions2. Good work platforms3. Toe boards4. Ladder tied at top with a clip (look closely)5. Base plates spread the load on the pavement6. Red & white warning tape on poles for pedestrians7. Scaffold extends across roof and over ridge, so tied well to the building8. Scaffold rests on boards on the roof, so protecting it9. No ladder at bottom level - scaffolders put it up when working, so there is no

easy access to the general public when they are not there10. Additional lateral bracing across doorway

Bad practice:Scaffold blocks the pavement, causing pedestrians to walk in the road.


This pole braces laterally

Clips hold ladder top & bottom


Working platforms and protection against falling materials and other items

Fully boarded platform with toe boards, handrail and screens

‘Fans’ to catch falling items


Hong Kong has some of the world's tallest buildings. Nevertheless, the city still uses bamboo scaffolding for much of its construction work – a traditional skill passed down over 5000 years. Bamboo is sustainable, lightweight and cheap and, as long as it remains fairly dry, a good construction material with significant mechanical properties.


Tower & trestle scaffolds

For light work only and must be used with great care


Mobile platform gives versatility

and safety


Structural frames (steelwork)

An essentially hazardous occupation that can be made safer by the use of modern equipment


Points to remember for steel erectors

Trying to save crane time by reducing the number of boltsused in connections is a dangerous practice.

Do not work in high winds or on wet steelwork.

Always wear suitable personal protective equipment.

If you climb or walk on bare steel, sooner or later you will fall.


Demolition of above ground structures

The main causes of accidents during demolition are:

• The choice of an incorrect method of demolition

• An unsafe place of work

• The unintentional collapse of the building being demolished, or of an adjoining structure, because of lack of temporary support.

• Unexpected exposure to toxic substances


Wherever practicable, workers should avoid working directly from parts of the building or structure they are demolishing, such as standing on the top of a brick wall. This usually means that they have both poor handholds and poor footholds.

When work cannot safely be carried out from a building, a scaffold platform, self-supporting and independent of the part of the building being demolished, should be provided.


Points for demolition workers to remember

• Plan before you demolish and demolish according to plan

• Have a written method statement for your demolition site

• Never work on a tank or enclosed vessel without a written permit to work

• Always check whether asbestos is present in the building to be demolished


General health hazards & demolition

Insidious and unexpected health hazards frequently arise during demolition on account of exposure to dust and fumes.

Poisonous fumes may arise when a plant is opened up without having first been properly isolated, purged or cleaned, or when a vessel is entered without taking precautions.

Fumes also arise when flame-cutting of plant which has been painted with zinc or cadmium paint and lead-painted steelwork, and from the inhalation of dust or fumes from chemical deposits.

The site survey should have assessed the risk, and the method statement should set out permit-to-work systems, the use of breathing apparatus, approved respirators, and rescue equipment.


Exposure to asbestos

Exposure to asbestos-bearing materials is now a particular risk in demolition.

Construction workers may be more at risk from the presence of asbestos than almost any other category of worker.

Exposure to asbestos that was commonly used in sprayed insulation on columns and on the underside of ceilings and roofs for fire protection or for thermal insulation is common and very dangerous.

Stringent precautions need to be taken to avoid contaminating the general atmosphere and to prevent breathing in of the dust.


Disposal of asbestos

Material containing asbestos must be removed in isolation from other work, and workers must wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and protective clothing, and be trained in their use and the techniques of asbestos removal.

Where possible, wet methods of asbestos removal should be adopted rather than dry methods.

Special arrangements need to be made by management for the safe disposal of asbestos-contaminated debris.

The best way to deal with asbestos is to employ a specialist company.


Points to remember for demolition workers

Never work on a tank or enclosed vessel without a written permit to work.

Always check whether asbestos is present in the building to be demolished.

Chrysotileasbestos fibres


Roof workGood edge protection is vital


Protection on sloping roofs


Protection when working on fragile material


A worldwide problem, even in ‘developed countries’

Four roofers at edge of roof, without fall protection, manhandle lifting and tying off flared top of trash chute with which to funnel old roofing material into dump truck for disposal

Picture and caption by Dr Robert I Carr.


An example of good practice

Poster provided by

Charles Obongpiny,

Uganda Building

Worker’s Union


The USA Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers some

excellent PowerPoint slide shows on fall preventionby the OSHA Office of Training and Education

http://www.osha.gov/doc/construction_ecats.html

These can be used to supplement this Theme PowerPoint Presentation

http://www.osha.gov/doc/construction_ecats.html


No caption needed!

construction os&h working at height

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